SON delux | DT Swiss R460 - Front Wheel - Hub Dynamo - 28" | Clincher - QR

Hub dynamos have become so widespread that their advantages over other types of power generation on bikes no longer need to be explained. Even road bike and mountain bike riders are increasingly opting for these lighting systems—which are becoming lighter and brighter—and are setting aside battery-powered lights, which require a lot of maintenance and are environmentally unfriendly.

But a low-quality hub dynamo serves no purpose: it adds extra weight and draws power even when the bike is at a standstill. And if it breaks, repairs can be costly. That’s why the rule is: the greater the strain on the materials, the higher the quality must be!

The Hub Dynamo: SONdelux

The SONdelux is the first hub dynamo whose generator is specifically designed for modern LED headlights. Since December 2009, the SONdelux—in combination with the Edelux—has been StVZO-approved for all wheel sizes (16"–28").

Unlike a halogen bulb, an LED remains highly efficient even under partial load—that is, when operated below its rated power. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to design the dynamo to reach its full power output at the lowest possible riding speed. As a result, the SONdelux is smaller and lighter than a hub dynamo designed for halogen lighting. Power consumption during idle operation is reduced by 30–35% compared to the SON 28. However, the SONdelux matches the SON 28 in terms of robustness and the high-quality version.

The Rim: DT Swiss R460

The all-rounder among road bike rims: lightweight, wide, and offering excellent value for the price. The R 460 works perfectly with wide tires, and its reliability ensures many unforgettable road biking experiences. Furthermore, the R 460 is tubeless ready.

Sleeved
In this process, a molded part (sleeve) is pressed evenly into both ends of the rim profile. The sleeve joint is the best alternative to SBWT®-welded rims.

The DT Swiss Wear Control® markings indicate the rim’s wear level and are EN-compliant.

Tubeless-compatible rims can be converted for tubeless use with a tubeless kit.

Maximum recommended system weight: 110 kg. Weight: 450 g

Spokes / Nipples: Sapim Race / Polyax)

The Sapim Race is a lightweight and sturdy butted spoke designed for a wide range of applications.
Sapim’s butted spokes offer two key advantages: they are lighter yet more rigid. A special cold-forging process preserves the material’s linear molecular structure and increases the strength of the thinner middle section by at least 48%.
The Sapim Race has a diameter of 2 mm at each end and 1.8 mm in the middle section.

Brass nipples are very durable and offer high stability. Standard brass nipples are universally compatible. Spoke thread Ø 2.0 mm. Nickel-plated, square type, suitable for both machine-based and manual wheel building. Weight per 12 mm nipple: 0.97 g.

Wheels with SON hub dynamos

All front wheels are laced by hand and carefully tensioned and trued. This, combined with high spoke tension, guarantees the wheel’s high stability and durability. For 26- and 28-inch wheels, SON always uses Sapim Race stainless steel spokes with brass nipples. The spokes, which are thinner in the middle, are more elastic, allowing the load to be distributed across more adjacent spokes than with spokes that are smooth throughout. The spokes are triple-crossed, and the wheels are pressed down several times during tensioning.

The hub flange is shaped so that the spoke curve fits perfectly, thereby avoiding unnecessary additional stress. This eliminates the need to tap the spoke heads into place or to insert brass washers. As a general rule, the heavier the rim, the more resilient the wheel. A sturdy rim, high-quality spokes tensioned evenly and firmly, and an experienced hand during assembly are what give a wheel its high load-bearing capacity—not necessarily a high number of spokes.